XN000022-1995-01-12 — Page 3

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Transcript of Governor's media session

Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting Yuen Long today (Thursday):

Governor: I'm pleased to have been able to make another visit to Yuen Long. There are a number of problems which the community here faces. Problems for There are transport example of flooding and drainage in the summers. problems which are particularly acute in the Northwest of the New Territories and they make the implementation of our railway development strategy in due course extremely important as well as the completion of Route 3. Of course, there's the importance of protecting the environment and cleaning up some of the environmental black spots that we're all worried about. So I've enjoyed the opportunity of talking about those issues to District Board members, other leaders of the community and I'll look forward to come here again.

Question: How do you react to Jardines saying that it's for the government to see whether it's necessary to re-tender CT9 ?

Governor: I am not sure that you're entirely, faithfully reflecting the answer to a question at the press conference. Our position on CT9 is absolutely clear. The procedures that we followed were in the best interest of Hong Kong. And that's that.

Question: Do you think that it would be a shortcut to solve the CT9 problem.....

Governor: No.

Question: Why not, because it's what the Chinese side requires and the Chinese side....

Governor: I am not going to do anything nor is the Chief Secretary which will undermine, or potentially undermine investors' confidence in Hong Kong. We can't conceivably have a position in Hong Kong in which the government makes decisions on the grounds of political correctness.

Question: How will you solve the urging problem of the permanent resident's definition and try to.. it to, for the Chinese side to clarify the definition of Chinese citizens for the coming SAR government ..?